“I have received, with the truest satisfaction, all your very interesting letters to July 16th.  The immense fatigue you have had, in defending Acre against such a chosen army of French villains, headed by that arch-villain Bonaparte, has never been exceeded; and the bravery shewn by you, and your brave companions, is such as to merit every encomium which all the civilized world can bestow.  As an individual, and as an admiral, will you accept of my feeble tribute of praise and admiration, and make them acceptable to all those under your command?  I have returned the Cameleon, that your lieutenant might have a good sloop; which, I hope, Lord Keith will approve:  and, in every thing in my junior situation in the fleet, you may be assured of my readiness to do what you can wish me.  I hope, Alexandria is long before this in your possession, and the final blow given to Bonaparte; but, I hope, no terms will ever be granted for his individual return to Europe.  Captain Stiles will tell you all our news here; and good Sir William Hamilton tells me, he thinks that he has told you the heads of all.  In short, all is well, if Lord Keith falls in with the combined fleet.  I think, you had better order the Theseus to Mahon; and I will endeavour to send you either a good sloop, or a small frigate.  The factory at Smyrna, in my opinion, have written a very improper letter to you.  I do not like the general stile of Mr. Wherry’s letters, they too much talk of government affairs.  It is our duty to take care of the Smyrna trade, as well as all other, and it never has yet been neglected; but Great Britain, extensive as her navy is, cannot afford to have one ship lay idle.  Be assured, my dear Sir Sidney, of my perfect esteem and regard, and do not let any one persuade you to the contrary:  but my character is, that I will not suffer the smallest tittle of my command to be taken from me.  But, with pleasure, I give way to my friends; among whom, I beg, you will allow me to consider you:  and, that I am, with the truest esteem and affection, your, &c.

     “Nelson.

     “Sir Sidney Smith.”

This excellent letter not only makes amends for all former asperities, but forms a most noble eulogium on the merits of Sir Sidney Smith; who, it must be confessed, had entitled himself, by his skill and valour, even to this proudest of all possible panegyrics from the first of heroes.

The Russian admiral not complying with Lord Nelson’s request, as to the restoration of the Leander, his lordship immediately addressed the Chevalier Italinskoy, the Russian minister at the court of their Sicilian Majesties, on the subject:  informing him that, whenever the admiral chose to send the Leander to Minorca, the ship would be received.  “But,” says his lordship, “after even my word not being taken, by his excellency, I cannot again subject myself to a refusal of giving up the Leander, agreeable to the intention of the emperor; though the form of order,